Cross infection control is as much of an issue in dentistry as in general clinical practice.

The British Dental Association has issued an advice sheet http://www.bda.org/advice/docs/A12.pdf  covering infection control in dentistry which makes the point succinctly:

"All dentists have a duty of care to their patients to ensure adequate infection control procedures are followed.

‘Failure to employ adequate methods of cross-infection control would almost certainly render a dentist liable to a charge of serious professional misconduct.’"

The sensors provided for use with the CarieScan PRO™ are sterile single use disposables. As well as ensuring a unique calibration for each sensor this ensures no risk of cross contamination from sensors exists. We are often asked if the sensors can be re-sterilised or disinfected to enable reuse. The simple answer is no. All re-sterilising/disinfection processes will damage the sensors both in terms of performance and, potentially dimensionally. Reuse is a risk that is simply not worth taking.

Cross infection concerns extend beyond the sensor. While the PRO and cable can be disinfected with alcohol based disinfectants many dentists will wish to use a protective barrier while using the PRO. For such additional protection CarieScan recommend the CarieScan PRO Sleeve (CP-STH-01): a disposable plastic cover which provides an additional barrier against cross contamination. These sleeves are available from your distributor.